Mass Effect 3 delayed to Q1 2012

Are you sitting down? Mass Effect 3 has been delayed and will now launch somewhere within "the first three months of 2012," BioWare has announced.

BioWare has made the unfortunate announcement that the third title in the Mass Effect series will arrive later than originally expected. Mass Effect 3 will now launch somewhere within "the first three months of 2012."

Posting on the franchise's official Facebook account, executive producer Casey Hudson said "the development team is laser focused on making sure Mass Effect 3 is the biggest, boldest and best game in the series, ensuring that it exceeds everyone's expectations."

Though initial reaction to the news warrants a link to everyone's favorite "bad news" Internet meme, the news means that Mass Effect 3 will get a little extra attention to make sure all of the elements bake correctly. Also, it pushes it out of the way of that other baked good-based "Game of the Year" contender.